The recall involves 332.9 pounds of tuna distributed in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland. According to the FDA recall record, Buckhead Meat Company, doing business as Trinity Seafood in Lakewood, New Jersey, voluntarily initiated the recall on July 24, 2026, after being notified of test results by the New Jersey Department of Health.
The federal agency formally classified the recall on September 16, and its record lists the action as ongoing. The affected tuna was kept refrigerated in Styrofoam containers and distributed in several case sizes. No termination date is listed, and the FDA record says no press release was issued for the recall.
Tests Found Elevated Scombrotoxin in Two Tuna Samples
According to the FDA, the New Jersey Department of Health notified the company that two samples collected from tuna had reported high levels of scombrotoxin. The affected product is identified as Buckhead tuna with product number 0004255 and was packaged in 10-pound, 12-pound, 15-pound and 3-to-5-pound cases marked “Keep Refrigerated.”
The FDA record also identifies several Vat numbers associated with the recalled tuna: 59-01915, 58-11212, 59-01914, 58-11210, 58-11213, 59-01930 and 59-01570. The federal listing repeats 58-11210 and also includes the incomplete identifier “59-0.”
Scombrotoxin is associated with scombroid poisoning, a form of food poisoning linked to certain marine fish that have undergone partial bacterial spoilage. Tuna and mackerel are among the fish in which the problem can occur when bacterial growth results in elevated histamine levels.
The FDA says these toxins are not destroyed by freezing, cooking, smoking, curing or canning. Proper handling and refrigeration, or immediately freezing fish such as tuna, are recommended to help prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.
Scombroid Poisoning Can Resemble an Allergic Reaction
Symptoms of scombroid poisoning can develop quickly. According to reporting by the New York Post, citing FDA information, symptoms may appear within minutes to two hours and can include facial flushing, sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, hives and abdominal cramps.
The FDA also says people exposed to scombrotoxin generally do not experience severe or long-term illness. Symptoms can resemble an allergic reaction and may include facial rash, hives, swelling, short-term diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In severe cases, blurred vision, respiratory distress and swelling of the tongue can occur.
The Class II designation means exposure to the recalled product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, while the probability of serious adverse health consequences is considered remote.
The recall, identified by the FDA as H-1382-2026 under Event ID 99744, was initiated voluntarily by the company. Consignees were initially notified by email. As of the FDA information provided, the recall remains ongoing, with no termination date available and no subsequent update history listed for the product.
